Sam Houston State, Blinn Sign Agreements

From left, SHSU President James F. Gaertner,
State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, Blinn President Don Voelter.

The presidents of Sam Houston State University and Blinn
College met Thursday with State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst and other
officials from the two schools to mark the finalization of
three cooperative strategies to improve transferability for
students.

It was the second such event in two weeks for James F. Gaertner,
SHSU president. A similar agreement-signing was held Feb.
24 with North Harris Montgomery Community College District.

Blinn president Don Voelter hosted Gaertner, Kolkhorst and
others for a ceremonial signing and a luncheon on the Brenham
campus.

During the past year the two institutions have completed 34
articulation agreements in more than 40 majors allowing for
students to maximize the amount of course work completed for
the associate degree at Blinn that can be applied to a bachelor's
degree at Sam Houston. The agreements have been placed on
line, making them readily accessible via the Internet to students
and counselors at both schools.

Other agreements allow for "reverse transfer" in
which students may transfer course work from Sam Houston State
to Blinn to complete requirements for the associate degree.

"This program is specifically designed to allow students
to receive the advantage pursuant to completion of the associate
degree when they leave Blinn prior to degree completion,"
said Ron Johnston, vice president of academic affairs for
Blinn.

The third agreement is "joint admission" which provides
students a mechanism to maximize their utilization of facilities
and programs offered jointly by Blinn and Sam Houston State
while making the transition from the associate to bachelor's
degree.

"We already have our first student to co-enroll at the
two institutions," said David Payne, provost for Sam
Houston State.

Kolkhorst, whose District 13 includes both schools, said she
hopes more of the state's institutions of higher learning
will establish similar agreements.

"Blinn has been a pioneer in pursuing articulation agreements
with four-year institutions," she said. "There are
21 million Texans out there that don't want to hear that something
can't be done. They don't understand why this 3-hour course
won't transfer from here to here.

"Bureaucracy should never get in the way of education."

She expects the Blinn and Sam Houston State cooperation to
be a driving force in the state's Closing the Gaps initiative
to make education available to more Texans all over the state.

"Blinn College and Sam Houston State University have
individually and jointly pledged to rededicate their efforts
to improve the educational opportunities afforded our students,"
said Voelter.

Officials from the schools said they anticipate additional
cooperative degree offerings (articulation agreements), examining
ways to facilitate the transfer of financial aid between institutions
(including joint enrollment) and additional counseling opportunities
including access to counselors from both institutions for
students making a transition between the two schools.

"Sam Houston State University and Blinn College have
enjoyed a great relationship and share a lengthy bond,"
said Gaertner. "This year marks our 125th anniversary
and Blinn has been offering exceptional education programs
for almost that long.

"I am also aware of Blinn's growing enrollment -- which
is similar in numbers but even larger than our enrollment
in Huntsville and the University Center in The Woodlands --
and of Blinn's many exceptional programs. These agreements
will only enhance and improve our already strong ties."

Joining in the ceremonies from Sam Houston State were David
Burris, community college liaison; Mitch Muehsam, director
of graduate studies; Dick Eglsaer, associate vice president
of academic affairs; and Joey Chandler, director of recruiting
and admissions.

Other Blinn officials present were John Barkman, executive
vice president; Barbara Pearson, vice president for the Brazos
County campuses, John Harris, vice president of student services;
and John Robertson, vice president of business services.